Credit: MNHNL

On Monday 14 September 2026, the Luxembourg National Museum of Natural History (MNHNL – Naturmusée) announced it will host a series of activities from Saturday 3 to Tuesday 6 October 2026 in recognition of International Geodiversity Days.

In 2021, at its 41st General Conference, UNESCO decided to designate 6 October each year as International Geodiversity Day. This global initiative aims to raise public awareness of the importance of geodiversity, a concept that is just as essential as biodiversity, but often less well known.

Geodiversity refers to the variety of geological, geomorphological, pedological and hydrological features and processes on our planet. It encompasses minerals, rocks, sediments, fossils, soils, landforms, tectonic structures, as well as the natural processes that shape them, such as erosion and plate tectonics. Inseparable from biodiversity, these two forms of diversity together constitute the Earth's natural diversity.

Since 2021, Luxembourg has taken part in this international celebration. In 2026, several events will be organised from Saturday 3 October to Tuesday 6 October, offering everyone the opportunity to discover the geological riches of the country and neighbouring regions, notably in Villerupt (France) and Martelange (Belgium).

According to the MNHNL, a varied and accessible programme has been designed to explore geodiversity from different perspectives. This includes guided walks - where one can discover Luxembourg's unique landscapes and geological formations - a conference featuring discussions with experts to explore the challenges surrounding geodiversity in greater depth, and exclusive visits which will grant access to sites that are normally closed to the public, such as former slate-quarrying sites and former open-pit mines.

The activities are organised by a consortium of committed institutions, including: the National Museum of Natural History; the Luxembourg Commission for UNESCO + ACTIVIZE; the Minett UNESCO Biosphere; the Mëllerdall Nature & Geopark; the Slate Museum (Haut-Martelange).

The MNHNL said: “The International Geodiversity Days in Luxembourg are an invitation to discover, understand and protect the geological treasures around us. Whether you are a nature enthusiast, a scientist or simply curious, these events offer you an immersive experience into the history and mysteries of our planet.”

Participation in all events is free. However, registration is required and spaces are limited.

Registration information and details of the full programme can be found at https://mnhn.public.lu/en/geodiversitydays-2026.html.